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BMW has been hit with another engine defect class action, this time from vehicle owners seeking redress for an alleged engine chain defect.
Eight named plaintiffs from across the country say the N20 and N26 engines in certain models of BMW vehicles have defects that could cause faulty performance and engine failure. The plaintiffs claim BMW has known about these defects for years, yet has neither fixed the problem nor disclosed it to BMW owners and lessees.
The plaintiffs take issue with two specific defects in the engine’s chains. The first defect affects the primary chain, also known as the timing chain, which coordinates the action of the crankshaft, camshafts, and cylinder valves.
According to the plaintiffs, the plastic guide assembly for the primary chain is made of a defective polycarbonate material that becomes brittle and breaks apart, creating debris that lodges in the crankshaft drive sprockets. The debris can cause the primary chain to skip, letting the camshafts and crankshaft fall out of sync and possibly damaging or destroying the engine.
The second defect affects the secondary chain, which connects the oil pump and balance shaft assembly to the crankshaft. The materials in this assembly can’t stand up to high-resistance wear, the plaintiffs say. This defect causes the chain to elongate prematurely, slip, and damage the chain sprocket.
BMW has known about these defects since as early as 2012, when according to the plaintiffs the company redesigned the chain tensioner. Since then, the company has attempted several additional redesigns that did not resolve the problem, according to plaintiffs.
Owners of the affected BMW vehicles have raised the issue in complaints to the company, warranty claims, and negative customer reviews in online forums. Yet the company kept building and selling vehicles with the affected engines without giving dealers or purchasers notice of the defects, the BMW lawsuit states.
In addition to this engine chain class action lawsuit, BMW continues to face another suit over alleged engine defects filed in November 2015.
In that claim, plaintiff David Afzal says the S65 engine in BMW M3 vehicles doesn’t get enough oil to the bearing surfaces of its rotating assembly, putting the engine at risk for catastrophic failure.
Afzal’s claims surpassed a motion for dismissal this past July. U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo determined that Afzal adequately raised claims for fraud and for violations of California consumer protection laws.
In the current engine chain defect class action, the plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class that would cover all persons in the U.S. who currently or previously owned or leased a BMW with a N20 or N26 engine affected by the chain defect. Affected vehicles include the BMW E84, E89, F10, F25 and F30 from model years 2012 through 2015.
Plaintiffs also propose seven subclasses covering Class Members from each of the named plaintiffs’ home states of New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, California, Wisconsin, Oregon and New York.
They are asking for a damage award to include statutory and treble damages as available under applicable state laws. They also seek a court order requiring BMW to stop the conduct complained of, to repair vehicles affected by the engine chain defects, and to reimburse Class Members for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in dealing with the defect.
Plaintiffs’ counsel includes attorneys Bruce H. Nagel of Nagel Rice LLP and Joseph Santoli.
The BMW Engine Chain Defects Class Action Lawsuit is Williams, et al. v. BMW of North America LLC, et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-11567, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
UPDATE: On Oct. 30, 2018, a federal judge recently trimmed claims in a consolidated BMW engine defect class action, but ruled that the automaker cannot escape the suit entirely.
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200 thoughts onBMW Class Action Seeks Fix for Engine Chain Defect
One more… My Neighbor just tall me yesterday that his X3 ( same year ) is going through the same issue. ” DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION ” what a coincidence?
Have the exact problem with my 2013 BMW X3. Have spent over $10,000 in repairs. Please advise.
Has anyone figured out how to join the class action lawsuit? I’m in the same boat. Last September, I almost had to replace the engine on my 2013 X3 at 82k miles but “got away” with only fixing the timing chain for $4500. Then about 6 months ago, I had another $3500 fix that was supposedly related to my oil, but I’m sure it was from the faulty engine. And now, I haven’t had my car for 7 weeks because it needs a new engine at 96k miles, which is another $10,000!!! It’s unreal how horrible this car is, and how BMW knows there’s a problem but doesn’t care. I am furious and disgusted. I’ve been fighting for over a year.
Please email me at saadams32 @ hotmail with any helpful info!
Shame on BMW!! My car has all these issues too. How do I get involved in the class action lawsuit?
Wow! The exact same thing just happened to me in my 2014 BMW 535D with 82,000 miles. Catastrophic engine failure because the timing chain broke. I have been quoted $15,000 for repairs. Please advise me how I could get involved with this lawsuit.
I have had the same issues as my 2013 X3 28i (80k miles). I called BMWNA to request a goodwill service repair. After one week, they contacted me and said that it was up to the dealer if they wanted to help or not. BMWNA offered no help at all.
the same exact issue on my 2013 X3. The sold me a new motor and 2 months later same issue.
This could be a big scam from BMW hacking on car computer system to simulate problems.
We are wondering if the week the will come up with a new diagnostic and recommend another part or parts to change.
I have a 2013 BMW X.3 and I’m hearing all these horror stories on the engine you shouldn’t have to worry about that timing chain till you get to 130,000 or more I’ve had cars with over 250,000 miles and never did anything to the timing chains I just turned 70,000 miles so my warranty is up I am in the process of getting an extended warranty that’s costing me $5500 and I don’t trust these warranty companies they seem to cover one thing and not the other it’s always the cheaper part hopefully BMW does something about this Go on Bimmerfest you’ll read a lot more complaints
I have a 2013 x3 and my timing chain blew up the engine back in January at 106,000 milEs and it was out of warrant.
2012 328i. I had to replace my engine due to timing chain malfunctioning. Bmw quote was above $9K. After 5 weeks paying for a rental car and dealing with Corporate to show that I did all the required maintenance, I still had to pay $5.5K. I would like to join this class action.
Yesterday,
I got same problem on the highway
with 2013 X3 28i.
Dealer charged $125 for diagnosis and
says need new engine and cost is
approximately $10k including labor.
So I’m thinking what should I have to do…
Advise me….
We just had the same thing happen in our 2013 X281 X1. Catastrophic engine failure in the middle of traffic due to timing chain. Cost us $8000 to repair after much frustration. Drove one day, new error – now needs new alternator and battery. How do we get in on Class Action lawsuit?